Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume
XXXI, South and Central America; Mexico

1301. For your personal information only, the following decisions have
been taken in order be in a position to render assistance at appropriate
time to anti-Goulart forces if
it is decided this should be done.

Dispatch of US Navy tankers bearing POL from Aruba, first tanker expected off Santos
between April 8 and 13; following three tankers at one day
intervals.2

2.

Immediate dispatch of naval task force for overt exercises off
Brazil. Force to consist of aircraft carrier (expected arrive in
area by April 10), four destroyers, two destroyer escorts, task
force tankers (all expected arrive about four days later).3

3.

Assemble shipment of about 110 tons ammunition, other light
equipment including tear gas4 for mob control for air lift to
Sao Paulo (Campinas). Lift would be made within 24 to 36 hours upon
issuance final orders and would involve 10 cargo planes,5 6 tankers, and 6 fighters.

Unloading of POL by US Navy tankers (item
1) and dispatch of airlift (item 3) would require further development
politico-military situation to point where some group having reasonable
claim to legitimacy could formally request recognition and aid from us
and if possible from other American Republics. Dispatch of tankers from
Aruba and of naval task force does not immediately involve us in
Brazilian situation and is regarded by us as normal naval exercise.

Rusk

Source: National Archives and
Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 23–9 BRAZ. Secret; Flash; No
Distribution. Drafted by Adams and approved by Ball. The Department later informed Gordon of several corrections to
the telegram; they are in footnotes below. (Telegram 1305 to Rio de
Janeiro, March 31; ibid.) The JCS
instructions implementing the decisions outlined in the telegram,
which were also in accordance with USCINCSO Contingency Plan 2–61, are ibid. The JCS assigned the code name “Brother
Sam” to the operation. (Telegram 5591 from JCS to CINCLANT, March 31; ibid.)↩

In telegram 1305 this
sentence was replaced as follows: “Dispatch of U.S. Navy tankers
bearing POL from Aruba, first
tanker expected off Santos April 13; following three tankers at
one day intervals.”↩

The sentence was replaced as follows:
“Force to consist of aircraft carrier and two guided missile
destroyers (expected arrive in area by April 10), four
destroyers, task force tankers (all expected arrive about four
days later).”↩